Cranberry juice: health benefits and harms

A lot is known about the benefits of wild berries. This is a source of a huge supply of vitamins and anti-inflammatory substances that contribute to the cleansing and speedy recovery of the body with many diseases. It is even more wonderful when the medicine is natural and so tasty that you can drink it for your own pleasure, and cooking is not difficult. Let us consider in more detail the benefits of cranberry juice, contraindications and easy recipes for its preparation at home.

Composition and calorie content

Cranberry juice is prepared on the basis of one berry or with the addition of its "sisters": lingonberries, blueberries, cloudberries, honeysuckle, raspberries, cherries. Usually use frozen from the summer product or "live" jam. By themselves, all these berries have approximately the same calorie content, so we will not take supplements into account.

Cranberries contain only 46 kcal per 100 g, and the calorie content of the drink depends on the concentration of juice and the addition of sweeteners. Pure fruit juice gives about 26 kcal per 100 ml, and sugar or honey add about 10 units - up to 36-40 kcal.

At the same time, fiber and ash almost do not remain in strained fruit drinks, but it is permissible to leave a precipitate in a drink, provided that it will be stored in cold for no more than 4–5 days. The main nutritional value is carbohydrates - natural digestible sugars: glucose, fructose and sucrose. In addition, cranberry juice contains valuable compounds for the body:

1. Vitamins of groups B, C, A, E, PP.
2. Iron, copper, zinc, phosphorus, calcium and potassium, sodium, magnesium, silver.
3. Organic fruit acids: citric, oxalic, malic, quinic, glycolic, as well as flavonoids, components that have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, tannins and antioxidants.

In this case, the berry rarely causes allergic reactions and is suitable for most people as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent.

What is useful cranberry juice

A natural cranberry drink has been considered a life-giving elixir for a long time, and this is no accident. It saves from all sorts of ailments: from colds and infections, diseases of the joints and heart, allergies and vitamin deficiency. Morse tones the body and heals many organs and systems.

General benefit

1. Vitamins and antioxidant substances of the berry support the beauty of the skin, relieve irritation, promote tissue rejuvenation, and give a detox effect. Therefore, cranberry juice is not only a rejuvenating agent that tightens the skin and retains moisture in it, but also a strong prevention of cancer.
2. In cold and early spring, cranberry juice perfectly replenishes the body's vitamins and also supports immunity.
3. The drink well cleanses the blood, liver and kidneys of toxins, removes processed products, lowers cholesterol.
4. Cranberries are the perfect fighter against colds and viruses. With a warm drink, you can bring down the fever, relieve a headache, gargle to relieve redness and inflammation.
5. The tool kills bacteria in the mouth and promotes the healing of gums.
6. Fragrant fruit juice controls appetite and is able to replace high-calorie sweets, so it can be used for diabetes and weight loss diets.
7. Morse fights against fungus and restores healthy skin. It can be used not only to cleanse blood and lymph from infection, but also for local treatment of lesions. In military and field conditions, open damage was decontaminated with berry juice or fruit drink: the product promoted healing.
8. The drink removes excess fluid, preventing the appearance of edema and relieving stress from the heart. At the same time, cranberry juice promotes healthy sweating, which is especially important for colds and heat, during sports training and in the heat.
9. The drink perfectly quenches thirst and tones up the body. Diluted fruit drink can be used as a sports drink and on diets, but you do not need to use it on an empty stomach.

At the same time, cranberry juice is useful for each member of the family in their own way.

For women

1. The benefits of cranberry juice for women are determined by its antioxidant effect, which allows longer to preserve beauty and youth, restore a healthy glow and delicate skin color, eliminate traces of fatigue and soothe irritations.
2. Juice is useful for the nervous system: it strengthens cells, stabilizes mood and improves sleep, increases endurance, reduces painful symptoms during menstruation, and after them helps restore normal levels of iron in the blood. In the period after menopause, such a drink will reduce hot flashes and normalize blood pressure.
3. The berry drink helps in the treatment of gynecological diseases due to its antibacterial and antiseptic effect. It is recommended that even doctors in the period after pregnancy, serious diseases of the genitourinary system, enter the diet, to fight against fungal infections, and also to restore the elasticity of soft tissues.
4. Cranberry juice is an excellent aphrodisiac that helps women regain sexual sensitivity and restore normal libido. It contributes to the normalization of blood flow in the pelvic area, as well as maintaining internal muscle tone. In addition, fruit drinks will help restore strength after a hard day and restore good mood.

For men

Since a strong half of humanity is statistically more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases, cranberry juice prophylaxis will help to maintain health longer and reduce the likelihood of developing hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart attacks and other diseases.

Morse perfectly strengthens blood vessels, promotes the removal of cholesterol, fatty plaques and calcium, supporting tissue elasticity, normal pressure and blood supply. The same properties of cranberry juice help men increase potency and stamina during intercourse. Regular drinking will help cure impotence.

Inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system, prostate adenoma and kidney diseases, to which the male body is prone, are also treated with fruit juice. Cranberries help to remove fluid from the body, without washing out potassium, restores healthy tissues, and helps to remove microbes and their metabolic products. Morse is prescribed for medical treatment, since it has been scientifically established that cranberries enhance the effect of antibiotic drugs.

The drink helps to restore strength to athletes, promotes high-quality muscle formation, preventing the deposition of calcium salts and promoting fluid metabolism and improving metabolism.

For kids

For a growing and developing child's body, such a drink in the diet is needed to normalize healthy appetite and stimulate the liver. Also, a product rich in iron will participate in the process of blood formation and protect against the development of anemia. This is important both at a young age, and at 10-11 years, during the restructuring of the body.

Morse will help teenagers overcome skin problems, relieve acne, photosensitivity and dark circles under the eyes, stimulate the nervous system, and help to wake up more easily in the morning.

The drink plays a very important role in the formation of immunity, especially in young children and those who attend kindergartens, a school where it encounters a large number of people and a concentration of bacteria. Regular consumption of cranberry juice throughout the year helps to less often catch colds, cope with viruses faster and stay alert even in the cold season.

Acid berry juices are not given to babies, until 2 years of age it is better to refrain from taking fruit drinks or consult a pediatrician. After this, the drink begins to be administered in small portions: first on a spoon so that the child’s body gets used to sour drink, then two at a time - and gradually increase the dose. Diluted fruit drinks for children can be drunk half a glass every other day. In this case, it is desirable to exclude other acidic fruits from the diet.

Is it possible to cranberry juice during pregnancy and HB

In small quantities, cranberry juice is very useful during pregnancy. It will help strengthen immunity, improve sleep, increase body stamina, strengthen blood vessels and enrich the blood with red blood cells, which are necessary to supply the fetus with oxygen, ensuring its proper development.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial substances will protect future mothers from infections, toxins and even exposure to heavy metals. Cranberry juice normalizes appetite, eliminates nausea, malaise and discomfort like heartburn or bloating, stimulates the outflow of bile, and maintains a normal pH in the body.

Another important function of this drink during pregnancy is the elimination of edema and the strengthening of blood vessels. This will help to avoid the development of varicose veins, tachycardia and hypertension. Cranberry juice delicately removes excess fluid, but you need to understand that for this reason you can not drink it in large quantities, so as not to suffer from frequent urination.

An additional benefit of cranberries for pregnant women is skin cleansing. Often during a period of hormonal changes in women, a rash and age spots appear. And after childbirth, you need to restore the elasticity of the skin. Eating cranberry products will help eliminate darkening with fruit acids, tighten the contour of the figure and normalize metabolism for a fresh look and well-being.

However, you should not get involved in the product. It is able to cause excessive separation of bile and significantly increase the burden on the kidneys, so consuming red elixir is moderate.

Cranberry fruit drink in medicine

Doctors in the last century recognized the benefits of cranberry products in the treatment of colds, inflammations and puffiness. Gastroenterologists, nutritionists, cardiologists and other specialists recommend that their patients include a drink in their daily diet as an auxiliary, prophylactic and rehabilitation remedy for a number of diseases.

With diabetes

With diabetes, it is recommended to drink berry juice without added sugar, and in extreme cases with honey. It helps to remove many side symptoms: normalizes blood pressure, helps fight cholesterol plaques, restores skin elasticity, removes excess salts to facilitate joint function.

The glycemic index of cranberry juice is small. The drink quenches thirst and helps get rid of a false feeling of hunger, stabilizing well-being.

With pancreatitis

With pancreatitis, the anti-inflammatory properties of the drink are important. It is recommended to drink it a little, monitoring your well-being, but just such a drink is useful for restoring the normal functioning of the pancreas. It does not cause surges in blood sugar and does not overload the body, while it has an antiseptic and calming effect, relieves fever, pain and promotes the regeneration of healthy tissues.

With gastritis

With gastritis, cranberry nectar should be used very carefully, strictly following the doctor's recommendations. On the one hand, it has a healing effect and will help relieve irritation. On the other hand, the product is very acidic (the addition of sugar does not reduce the effects of fruit acids), which may increase discomfort in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in cases of high acidity.Drink fruit drinks in dilute form, combining with soft enveloping products.

With gout

With gout, cranberry juice will help break up and remove salt deposits from the body, get rid of excess potassium, and normalize the level of urea. However, you need to use it only after discussing the situation with the doctor. Fresh berries can not be used for gout, because they contain purines that can provoke an exacerbation of the disease. In Morse, these substances change, so a small amount of the drink will not harm the body.

For the liver

For liver health, doctors often recommend including cranberry juice in the diet. It contributes to the purification and renewal of cells, the removal of toxins, the outflow of bile fluid, the removal of inflammatory processes and heat. Cranberry drink promotes healthy blood circulation and regenerates tissues. Sometimes to cleanse and normalize the liver, cranberry juice is mixed with bitter herbs and healthy oils.

From temperature

Cranberry juice is drunk warm due to temperature, it relieves headache, fever, body aches, increases muscle tone and body resistance, therefore it can improve overall well-being with colds, fever, intoxication and poisoning.

With angina

With angina, you can not only drink fruit drinks, but also gargle with a berry infusion (without sugar), this will help kill harmful microorganisms, relieve swelling, eliminate inflammation and restore the body.

With pyelonephritis

Very often, doctors recommend consuming cranberry juice for pyelonephritis. The drink kills the pathological microflora and removes all extraneous matter from the body, helps to relieve inflammation and resume normal kidney function, relieves pain and fever. In addition, it protects the body as a whole from the spread of infection.

In such situations, it is recommended to take pure fruit drinks without sweeteners so that the “medicine” is more quickly processed by the body and performs its functions. Morse with the addition of natural honey will also help with inflammatory diseases.

In case of poisoning

Cranberry juice also helps with various types of poisoning. Doctors often prescribe it as a supportive tool for people living in environmentally polluted areas or working in hazardous industries.

Situationally, you can reduce the symptoms of food poisoning or intoxication by drinking a little unsweetened fruit drinks. It will help to remove pathogens of any nature from the body, cleanse the stomach, help restore normal bacterial balance and stimulate the production of necessary enzymes. In such cases, it is advisable to start by drinking a sorbent that will draw out all the coarse particles, and only after that help the body cope with the malaise with the help of fruit drinks.

The tool helps well from nausea on the road, after overeating and in other cases, and also causes a sobering effect.

Harm and contraindications

Despite its intense pleasant taste, cranberries are such a berry that rarely causes intolerance. Cranberry juice or fruit drink is prohibited in only a few cases:

1. For people with high acidity, frequent heartburn.
2. With problems with the kidneys or serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
3. While taking antibiotics with a strict dosage. In such cases, you should always consult a doctor.

You can not drink berry juices and fruit drinks on an empty stomach. If the juice was prescribed to drink on an empty stomach, it is better to start with a glass of water to activate the body and refresh all cells and tissues. Then the juice acid will not have too aggressive an effect.

It is also important to protect tooth enamel from acidic fruit drinks. It is undesirable to drink the drink immediately after brushing your teeth, following hot food, and after drinking it is recommended to rinse your mouth with water. It is even better to drink fruit juice through a straw.

If you drink sour fruit juice in moderation, it will be beneficial and will not cause discomfort, but if you have heartburn, discomfort on your teeth or intestines, you need to postpone the drink.

How much cranberry juice can I drink per day?

To obtain a pronounced healing effect, it is advisable to drink 2 glasses of fruit drink per day. If treatment is not required, it is enough to drink 1-2 glasses 2-3 times a week. Drinking more than 3 glasses in a row is undesirable, as this will overload the kidneys and may cause stomach discomfort.

Children and the elderly are given 1 glass every other day. You can introduce fruit drinks in baby food from 3 years old, and if necessary, talk with the pediatrician about the dosage and get special recommendations.

How to make cranberry juice

Morse differs from compote in its high content of vitamins, it remains fresh and almost does not lend itself to heat treatment. A product prepared at home can be rolled up in sterilized jars, but it is better to store it in the refrigerator or freeze fresh berries and prepare a new portion of fruit drink from them each time.

Homemade fruit drink is much more useful than store fruit, as it does not contain harmful sweeteners and preservatives. For recreational purposes, it is best to drink pure berry juice, if it seems too sour, mix it with the juice of sweet fruits: pear, apple, mango. If desired, you can add a little honey or sugar, but it is better to do this before drinking.

Recipes

1. To prepare fruit drinks from fresh berries, it is enough to grate them through a sieve, expressing the juice. After that, a healthy and vitamin-rich cake is poured with a small amount of water and boiled over low heat for 5-6 minutes. If necessary, add sugar to taste and spices: cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom, fragrant herbs. Then the broth is decanted, combined with the juice in a warm form and insisted until it cools completely (or rolled into cans while the liquid is hot).
2. Another recipe is from frozen berries. In this case, the berry should be poured with hot water, grind in a blender and insist 15-20 minutes. Then the same process is done: the first infusion is poured through cheesecloth, the cake is brought to a boil in the second water or syrup, then both parts are mixed.
3. An alternative recipe for vitamin fruit juice eliminates boiling. The mashed berries are poured with hot boiled water and defended in a thermos, after which the mixture is filtered. This fruit drink should be drunk immediately, since it has a much shorter shelf life. Nevertheless, antibacterial substances allow it to be stored even without the addition of preservatives.

If you prepare fruit juice from wild berries before the winter holidays, you can add lemon or orange peel to it, it will also benefit your health and create a good mood.

Cranberry Interesting Facts

1. They began to study the specific properties of wild berries at the beginning of the last century. So, Russian scientists have found that cranberries contain benzoic acid, which, undergoing transformation in the body, receives an antibiotic property and enhances the effect of medications.
2. You can collect cranberries in September. The berry will still be very firm, but it will be able to “reach”. Nevertheless, it is believed that the maximum of nutrients accumulates in the fruits to the first cold weather.
3. In England, cranberries are sometimes called the “bear berry”, because they like to feast on the clubfoot. There is a version that it was just looking at them that people tried the berry.
4. It was customary for Indians and other ancient tribes to grease fresh meat with cranberry berry puree to extend its shelf life.
5. Cranberry bushes live for several decades, some of them for a century.

Photo of cranberry juice